Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
110–25K
625–50K
650–75K
575–100K
3100–150K
2150K+
33 reports with mileage · 20 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports8 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
53 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2023
Electrical SystemExterior LightingCrash
My 2012 Mini Countryman has had failed signal lighting. My dealer has diagnosed the issue as a failed FRM module which I have been informed that NHTSA issued in conjunction with Mini USA a warranty extension to service this module's failure. While as an owner of this car for the past 9 years, I received not notice from Mini. I …
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My 2012 Mini Countryman has had failed signal lighting. My dealer has diagnosed the issue as a failed FRM module which I have been informed that NHTSA issued in conjunction with Mini USA a warranty extension to service this module's failure. While as an owner of this car for the past 9 years, I received not notice from Mini. I recently appealed for warranty coverage of this part. Mini USA has denied coverage of my failed FRM module stating the warranty was only good for 10 years from in-service date. My vehicle went in-service 8/12/2012, or ten years and ten months. Mini is adamantly denying good will to replace this part and my car is off the road do to no working turn signals.
NHTSA ODI #11531545
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine
Mini coopers have faulty transmission problems, and well mine today it's transmission went out when I had my AC on, the car stalled in the middle of the highway in the middle of the road with oncoming traffic and refused to budge, like seriously this is highly dangerous on the interstate
NHTSA ODI #11526625
Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2022
EngineFire
Our Mini Cooper Countymen S was being towed behind our motorhome. I. saw smoke coming from the car I stopped and the car started to catch on fire. I got out motorhome disconnect just in time before the Mini was consumed by fire, it was a total loss. The Fire Investigator stated he believed the fire started in the right side of t…
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Our Mini Cooper Countymen S was being towed behind our motorhome. I. saw smoke coming from the car I stopped and the car started to catch on fire. I got out motorhome disconnect just in time before the Mini was consumed by fire, it was a total loss. The Fire Investigator stated he believed the fire started in the right side of the engine compartment.
NHTSA ODI #11489819
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2022
Seat Belts
I was driving down the road when a light popped onto my dash, it was the airbag/seatbelt light after some research. From what I've read, this will prevent the airbags from activating in case of a crash, and after talking to other MINI owners it is extremely common.
NHTSA ODI #11476707
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2022
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
timing chain failure which caused engine shut down. this is a known problem with other models. It was not recalled but BMW lost a class action lawsuit for the same problem in the same car, different years. They have not updated or repaired the issue. very expensive repair.
NHTSA ODI #11476173
180,000 miles · Nov 17, 2021
EngineFire
The contact owned a 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated while she was at a standstill in traffic, she saw smoke exiting from under the hood. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the emergency lane and exit the vehicle before the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The con…
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The contact owned a 2012 Mini Cooper S Countryman. The contact stated while she was at a standstill in traffic, she saw smoke exiting from under the hood. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the emergency lane and exit the vehicle before the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The contact did not sustain any injuries nor seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The insurance company deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The contact spoke to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V248000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #11440756
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2021
Air Bags
The front passenger occupancy detector (or OC3) failed, making the passenger airbags inoperable. This is a common problem with minis and many other models have had the mat warranty extended. The dealer confirmed that the OC3 is bad but wanted $800 just to order the part which is embedded in the seat cushion. Consumers shouldn't …
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The front passenger occupancy detector (or OC3) failed, making the passenger airbags inoperable. This is a common problem with minis and many other models have had the mat warranty extended. The dealer confirmed that the OC3 is bad but wanted $800 just to order the part which is embedded in the seat cushion. Consumers shouldn't have to bear the cost of a defective vital safety component that should last the life of the car.
NHTSA ODI #11428626
10 miles · May 15, 2021
Engine
AFTER DRIVING FEW MILES (10) UP HILL OUT THE DEALER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURN ON. ITS NOT BLINKING BUY SEEMS LIKE ITS HALF AWAY ON THE SIGNED ON THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11416755
104,000 miles · Jul 8, 2019
Engine
THE WATER PUMP IN THE CAR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, CAUSING IMMEDIATE OVERHEATING AND THE HEAD GASKET ON THE ENGINE TO BLOW. MINI REFUSED TO FIX THE CAR, AS THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, DESPITE THE FAULTY WATER PUMP BEING THE CAUSE OF THE OVERHEATING.
NHTSA ODI #11230081
43,000 miles · Jun 29, 2019
Air Bags
THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT IS FAULTY. THIS ISSUE WAS LISTED AS A RECALL ON PREVIOUS MODELS OF MINI COOPERS FROM NHTSA.
NHTSA ODI #11228391
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2012 Mini Cooper Countryman Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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